Huntsville, Alabama's Space Camp

Huntsville, Alabama is the site of one of the most fervent of kids’ dreams: Space Camp. NASA sponsors a space camp in Alabama to help kids experience what it is like to be an astronaut. Most programs last one week, and they are also offered in conjunction with other community programs, such as 4-H. Attendance at Space Camp can comprise some of the most meaningful and interesting experiences of a child’s life.

The Space Camp program in Alabama has an age limit, and the full camp is available to kids who are at least 12 years old. Of course, there are special programs at the center for younger kids that offer many activities they do not quite appreciate. However, it gives them the chance to assert that they are old enough to be away from home.

The programs and activities at Space Camp are designed to awaken creativity and curiosity. The kids learn to design a lunar colony, and attend classes and seminars to know about the history of the space program. They learn about the Soviet space program as well as the United States program in these classes. They are also taken on trips to the museum to gain an education experience.

But the most fun in Space Camp is obviously not in sitting in classes or visiting museums. What the kids love is that they get to explore the inside of spacecrafts using life size mock ups of space shuttles. The bunks in the quarters are so life like that they could be on a space station or colony, not someplace in Alabama. But the most exciting part about Space Camp is the "astronaut training".

All kids who attend Space Camp are put through astronaut training. Space suits are fitted for the kids so they get to experience what that feels like. There are centrifuge rides to help the kids feel the pressure of gravity and zero gravity simulations to help them experience weightlessness. Using simulators, they are also taught to "fly" spacecraft like the shuttle. Not to forget, the kids can use a contraption that helps them experience what it feels like to walk on the moon.

The "training" is followed by a simulated mission. A role is given to every participant on board the space ship (e.g., payload specialist, pilot, space walk etc). To show the kids how important time and sequencing is in real space missions, the simulator is designed to shake around, if you mess up on any of the steps. However if you work as a team, you can complete the mission successfully.

A group may get an opportunity to run the mission more than once, if time permits, thus giving the kids a chance to play different roles in the mission. The mission is a fun, hands-on learning experience for the young space campers.

Kids can spark off an interest in science and Space after attending Space Camp. This unique program provides a complete Space learning experience that takes the kids away into an exciting world so different from its actual location in Huntsville, Alabama.

About the author: Robert Balwinder writes exclusively for Alabama Home, it's one of the webs most up to date Alabama sites, while you're there sign up for the free newsletter. Want to read more Alabama articles?, just go to: www.alabamah.com/articles
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